“EVEN the officers on the ground are afraid to take action because the IGP (inspector-general of police) wants it”, (FMT 23 March 2021).

What a damning indictment of the rot in the police force! This is not to say that the whole lot is bad, but that one bad egg in a basket makes the whole basket smell bad. The real shocker is that the bad smell was in the heads of the force, like the saying that a fish rots from the head down.

IGP Abdul Hamid Bador has done a great service to the nation by making this bold public statement. He deserves the highest commendation for standing up and being a true patriot.

So when his predecessors had vehemently objected to the setting up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), which was recommended by a Royal Commission of Inquiry into cases of misconduct by the police 15 years ago, they were actually safeguarding their own turf and not “protecting the image of the police”. 

What was even worse is that the government of the day had buckled under their demands not to set up the IPCMC. Could this be because of a silent deal between the two parties to “you help me, I help you”, as some politicians are also enriching themselves through corrupt practices?

Was it not treasonous of those IGPs to betray the trust placed in them to enforce the rule of law, but instead abused that trust and their powers to “license” corrupt activities that brought them gains?

Does the government need any more damning evidence that the IPCMC must be set up, with the full terms of reference as recommended by the RCI, without further delay? The IPCMC must be given the full set of teeth to do its job of chewing up the rot in the police force, and not just a few front teeth for show.

Highest regards to IGP Hamid for standing up as a patriot and calling a spade a spade in public without mincing words. Now he must push ahead and get the IPCMC put in place before he retires.  

The home minister was wrong to have jumped up and with a knee-jerk reaction denied the existence of the group that the IGP spoke of. This kind of “protective” attitude to immediately deny and sweep matters under the carpet (supposedly to safeguard the “image” of the party involved) is very damaging to the nation. He should have instead stated that he will ask for a report from the IGP and give his support to clear the force of the bad apples.

Could the minister tell the public how he was so certain that there was no such cartel? It was like saying he knew more than the IGP, Really? Running down the IGP in such a manner was really uncalled for. Hopefully, he will listen to the IGP and support the IGP’s efforts. He should get the bad apples in the police sacked. There should be no two ways about it, as police personnel cannot plead ignorance of the law. The government has no duty to take care of the rice bowls of the corrupt. – March 24, 2021.

* Ravinder Singh reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.